USVI Public Records

Document text

dateline: UVI The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands March 30, 2004 vol x, number 3 Events Calendar March 30-April 3 Humanities Festival STT,STX March 30 ADA Workshop STT April 2 Career Day STT April 3 Alumni Walk-a-Thon STT It was 42 years ago that a group of Virgin Islanders signed the charter to es- tablish a college in the Virgin Islands and “the territory has not been the same since that day,” said UVI President Dr. LaVerne Ragster at the official Charter Day cer- emony held on March 16 to celebrate the University’s anniversary. “I’m standing before you today with a feeling of great joy and a sense of awe,” Dr. Ragster said as she chronicled the history of the then Col- lege of the Virgin Islands which is now the University of the Virgin Islands. While her predecessors focused on attaining accreditation, developing pro- grams and building facilities, President Ragster said that UVI’s new mantra for the next century is strategic plan- ning. The University will be more fo- cused on its impact and how close it comes to meeting goals. Some of those goals include administrative efficiency, developing approaches to meeting fi- nancial needs and becoming a mature learning establishment. “Our responsibilities continue to be great,” Dr. Ragster told the audience gathered at the Chase Auditorium on the St. Thomas campus and the Evans Center The- ater on the St. Croix campus, “and the pay- off is abso- UVI: Still Making an Impact 42 Years Later lutely outstanding.” That pay-off has already and continues to have an effect on the territory. UVI has graduated 5,700 students and has, in some way or another, touched the lives of most. “How long does it take to be good, do good and make an impact” Dr. Eustace Esdaille, a UVI Business Division Chairman and pre- senter asked at the ceremony. “It doesn’t take too long at all,” he answered, not- ing that UVI, still in its infancy com- pared to other universities, has had a great impact on the people of the Virgin Islands. Other Charter Week events in- cluded Afternoon on the Green, a Nurs- ing lecture featuring retired nurse Laura Moorhead White, a colloquium, a stu- dent debate, a film screening and a 5K walk/run. The Alfred O. Heath Distin- guished Speakers Forum was estab- lished this year in honor of the long-time UVI supporter. It featured a lecture by the Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. The new informational kiosk on the St. Thomas campus was also unveiled during Charter Week. President Ragster urged everyone to continue working together to help shape the “ve- hicle of people development” we know as UVI. April 3 UVI Day at Sunny Isle STX April 4 Golden Key Induction STT April 4 CPA Exam Seminar STT April 16-19 Little Theater Play STT Top: Dr. Alfred O. Heath embraces Laura Moorhead White, the featured speaker at the 5th Bennie and Martha Benjamin Lecture Series. The Alfred O. Heath Distinguished Speakers Forum was established this year in honor of Dr. Heath, a long-time UVI supporter. Middle: Raymond Lutz crosses the finish line at the 5K Queen Mary Walk-Run. Bottom: UVI President Dr. LaVerne Ragster cuts the ribbon to the new informational kiosk on the St. Thomas campus. dateline:UVI 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu dateline:UVI is a production of the UVI Public Relations Office. Contact us by telephone at (340) 693-1056 FAX: (340) 693-1055 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu In the next three years a lucky UVI student will have the opportunity to attend a U.S. Department of Energy Labora- tory for one semester of study courtesy of the Vincent D. George Scholarship, established at UVI during Virgin Islands Energy Week. The endowed scholarship is named in honor of a deceased Energy Office employee who was an ardent sup- porter of energy conservation education. At a ceremony held on March 12, officials from the Plan- ning and Natural Resources Department Energy Office pre- sented UVI President Dr. LaVerne Ragster with a $15,000 check as the first installment of a $40,000 endowed scholar- ship. Of the $15,000, $10,000 was donated by the Energy Office and $5,000 by an anonymous donor. The Energy Of- fice will make annual contributions to the fund over the next 10 years. Energy Scholarship Established at UVI Afternoon on the Green Fun UVI President Dr. LaVerne Ragster, left, poses with Virginia and Reginald George, the parents of Vincent D. George; UVI Vice Presi- dent for Instutional Advancement Joseph Boschulte; V.I. Energy Office Director Victor Somme III; and DPNR Executive Assistant Commissioner Claudette Lewis. People turned out in droves to attend UVI’s annual Afternoon on the Green, despite sporadic rain that saturated the ground at the Herman E. Moore Golf Course. Clock- wise, the marine touching pool was a big attraction with children; Peas Soup, a band made up of students, had attendees swaying to their music; St. Croix campus Student Activities Supervisor Clint Ferris serves up homemade ice cream; Cherilyn Browne, a member of the UVI Institutional Advancement staff, dishes up a treat.